Reaction time meters



May 13, 1958 K. J. YLINEN 2,834,597

REACTION TIME METERS Filed Aug. 21, 1956 United States Patent 2,834,597 REACTION TIME METERS Klaus Johannes Ylinen, Stockholm, Sweden Application August 21, 1956, Serial No. 605,257 Claims priority, application Sweden August 26, 1955 Claims. (Cl. 273-95) The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the reaction time of a person, i. e. the time elapsing from the moment of stimulus until the person being tested reacts and responds to the stimulus by a certain arranged movement, preferably a movement of the hand. The apparatus may be used for scientific purposes in the iield of experimental psychology and for psychotechnical investgation of the reaction time of different persons and thereby of their adequacy to certain professions and trade etc., but also as a contest apparatus in pleasure-grounds and so on.

The reaction meter according to the invention comprises means forming a channel for a falling body, a .member adapted to support said body disposed adjacent .the upper end of said channel and capable of being with- .drawn therefrom, manually operable means for withldrawing said support, delay means cooperating with said .last mentioned means for delaying the withdrawal of said .support after the manually operable means has been actuated, means for giving a signal at the moment when :the support is withdrawn and the body starts its falling motion, a braking member disposed in said channel and extending along the same and being movable from an .inactive position into an active position in which latter Iit .stops the falling movement of said body, and manually toperable means for causing said braking member to move ffrom its inactive position into its active position to stop :the falling movement of the body, the distance which said v:body has fallen until stopped by the braking member vindicating the reaction time of the person being tested.

For the signaling an acoustic signal meansmay suitably lbe provided as, for instance, a bell. A light signal may ;also be llashed e. g. from an electric bulb.

The braking member preferably comprises a 'hat bar teonstituting one side wall of the channel for the falling `tbody. The bar is `movable from an inactive position in direction towards the opposing side wall of the `channel into an active position, in which the falling movement lof the body is stopped as the latter is caught between said .two side walls. Preferably the braking member is actu- ;ated by a spring and maintained in its inactive position Aby means of a detent adapted to be released when actu- .ated by a push button or the like. Thereby the spring xrapidly brings the braking member into the active posiftion. The movement of the bar may also be accomplished t-by electromagnetic means, for instance, the bar then carrying or forming the armature of an electromagnet which when excited will attract the armature and cause 'the bar to move into the active position.

In order to allow the signal to be released by the experimentee himself the apparatus is constructed in such ;a manner that the giving of a signal and the simultaneous \withdrawal of the support for the body in order to start fthe falling motion thereof takes place with a certain delay, for instance, 5-10 seconds after the experimentee .has actuated the push button concerned.

The delay means may be designed in various manners known per se but the simplest solution should be to `utilize a pneumatic delay device in the shape of a rubber suction cup or the like, attached to the end of the push button. When the latter is pressed, the suction cup will be pressed against a base portion or plate and in being flattened adhere to the same. A capillary preferably of adjustable cross sectional arezt is provided in the base portion so that a minute stream of air slowly enters into the suction cup, causing the cup to leave hold of the base portion after the desired period of delay. The push button then jumps back to its initial position and actuates a mechanism which will withdraw the support of the body and at the same time excite the signal means to function. Due to this period of delay, which need not be exactly defined as to duration, the experimentee will find enough time for lmoving his hand to the second push button so that in the moment of signaling he will be physically prepared to respond to the stimulus.

The apparatus according to the invention will give fully reliable test results as the distance (drop) covered by the freely falling body until the moment of braking constitutes a precise measurement of the reaction time of the experimentee, said time being preferably readable against a stationary time scale. The reaction meter may to good advantage replace chronoscopes or chronographs hitherto used for the same purpose and it is less expensive and less liable to get damaged than said instruments. Furthermore, the apparatus is handled solely by the person whose reaction time is to be checked.

in order to make the invention clear, reference is had to the accompanying drawing illustrating, as an example only, an embodiment of ,the invention. In the drawing:

Figure l is andiagramrnatical front View of the reaction meter;

Figure 2 is a top plan View, partly in section, of the push button device for starting of the falling motion and the simultaneous signaling;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional View on line 3-3 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a rectangular base plate to which a straight strip-shaped member 2 is secured. Parallel to and spaced from member 2 a movable flat bar 3 is disposed to serve as a braking member. Between strip 2 and bar 3 a channel 4 is formed for a body, shown as a coin 5, which will be permitted to perform a free falling motion. At its ends the bar 3 is provided with rectangular notches 6 and 7, engaged by studs 8 and 9 on plate 1. The notches have a width somewhat exceeding the diameter of studs 8 and 9 so that the bar 3 can be parallelly displaced from the position indicated by full lines in Fig. 1 (inactive position) into the position indicated by dashed lines (active position). In the latter position bar 3 has approached strip 2' to such an extent that coin 5 will be caught between said two members.

Moving of bar 3 from inactive into active position is effected by means of a double-armed lever-11, 12 pivoted at 10 on plate 1. One arm 11 of the lever is pivoted at 13 to the flat bar 3 and the other arm 12 is actuated by a tension spring 14 attached to plate 1. The positions of lever 11, 12 corresponding to the inactive and active positions of bar 3 are indicated by full and dashed lines, respectively, in Fig. 1.

The parts 1, 2 and 3 forming the channel 4 are attached to a frame of Wood for instance. rThis frame is not shown in Fig. 1 but part of it is represented at 15 in Fig. 2. Channel 4 is covered in the front by a window 16 of glass or the like secured to frame 15.

The coin 5 isV inserted into channel 4 at the top end (coin slot) 17. A pin 18 normally projects into the channel through an opening in plate 1, said pin being secured to one end of a leaf spring 19 the opposite end 20 of which is attached to frame 15 by screws. When the JP coin has been introduced it will therefore initially rest upon pin 18, as shown by `a dashed circle in Fig. 1.

Somewhat belowpin 18 there is a further aperture 21 in plate 1 through which a pin 22, fixed to one end of a rigid arm 2.3,- may be introduced into channel 4 (see Fig. 2). The opposite end 24 of arm 23 is riveted to one end of a leaf spring 25, the other end 26 of which is riveted to plate 1 in such a manner that arm 23 and leaf spring form a V as viewed from the side. The first-mentioned end of leaf spring 25 is bent at 27 and bears against the back of push button 29 disposed in an opening 23 in frame 15 and thereby tends to maintain the push button in the outer position, as shown in Fig. 2.

A rubber suction cup 30 is secured to the back of vpush button 29. A Z-bracket 31 is attached to frame 15 by means of screws, one shank 32 of said bracket facing the suction cup 30.

From Vleaf spring 19 (not shown in Fig. 2), carrying pin 18, an arm 33 extends downwards and engages leaf spring 25.

.supposing the coin 5 is in the position indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. lresting upon pin 18 and button 29 is pressed, the following will happen: The end portion 27 of leaf spring 25, bearingagainst push button 29, will be moved to the left in Fig. 2. Due to arm 33 which bears against the same spring also leaf spring 19 will be bent and in such a direction that pin 18 is withdrawn from channel 4 thereby releasing coin 5. At the same time the rigid arm 23 with its end section, carrying pin 22, will be turned to the right in Fig. 2 so as to introduce pin 22 into channel 4 through opening 21, thereby blocking coin 5 in the position indicated by full lines in Fig. 1 (ready position).

In pressing the button 29 suction cup 3% is brought against the plane shank 32 and, in being deformed in known manner, it adheres to the shank so that the push button 29, though actuated by leaf spring 25, cannot immediately return to its initial position. A threaded hole with a screw 34 is provided in the plane shank 32. This device constitutes a duct through which air, due to the play of the screw connection, canslowly enter suction cup 30 permitting the cup to reassume its normal shape and after a certain time to release shank 32, whereby push button 29 under the action of leaf spring 25 rapidly returns to the initial position shown in Fig. 2.

In order to control the air stream a shallow groove 35 may be provided on the outer side of shank 32 across the screw hole and a rubber washer 36-may be placed under the head of screw 34. Ey more or less tightening the screw, the air stream into the suction cup `and thereby the time (delay) elapsing before suction cup 30 releases the -plane shank 32 vmay be controlled.

When the suction cup releases the shank, push button 29 will rapidly return to its initial position (Fig. 2) under the action of leaf spring 25 as already described, whereby pin 22 is quickly withdrawn from channel 4, causing coin 5 to lose its support 4and commence its free falling motion. At the same time pin 18 of leaf spring 19 is again moved into channel 4 through the opening provided for this purpose in plate 1. The original positions of the various members are now restored.

In order to indicate the starting moment of the falling motion by a signal, the outer end of the rigid arm 23 is provided with a hammer 37 which-when the arm returns to lits initial position (Fig. 2) will strike a bell 38, attached to frame 15, causing the bell to emit a sound.

Lever -11, 12, controlling the movement of bar 3, is lockedin its inactive position (the position indicated by full lines in Fig. l-) by means of a detent pin 39-secured to a leaf spring 40 one end of which is riveted to plate 1. The pin 39 bears against the -edge of lever arm 212. A secondpush button 41 is provided in an opening of frame 15, the back of said button being adapted to-cooperate with the free end of leaf spring 40 in such a manner that the detent pin 39 will disengage lever 12 when button 41 is being pressed, causing the lever to turn counterclockwise under the action of tension spring 14 and displace bar 3 to the right in Fig. 1 into its active position (indicated by dashed lines) whereby the falling motion of coin 5 is stopped.

As can be seen from Figures 1 and 3, the free end of lever arm 12 which is somewhat resilient extends under the push button 29. Furthermore, a guiding member 42, having an inclined -surface 43, is secured to lframe 15, the edge of lever arm 12 bearing against said surface. In pressing button 29 the lever, at the same time as it is bent away from frame 15, will be turned clockwise-in Fig. 1 by the action of the inclined surface 43 until the detent pin 39 on leaf spring 40 is able to reengage the edge of the lever and lock bar 3 in its inactive position.

Along channel 4, for instance on the channel covering window 16, a scale 44 is arranged, divided into hundredths of a `second and indicating the distance coveredby lthe freely fallingcoin Sduring every hundredth-of a second.

The apparatus is operated in the following'manner: A coin 5 is introduced-into slot 17 of the apparatus 'and drops down on the upper pin 18, normally projecting into the channel or tube 4, and is retained bysaid pin.

The person, whose reaction time is being checked, now

pushes button 29 to the bottom. In doing so he causes the upper pin 18 to be lwithdrawn from the channel simultaneously as the lower pin 22 is moved into the active position in said channel so that coin 5, leaving the upper pin 18, drops down-on to the lower pin-22 and-is retained in the ready position by the same, said -pin thus defining-the starting vpositon ofthe coin. In pushing putton 29 suction cup -30 is pressed against the plane shank 32 and adheres to the latter. However, due to the capillary provided in shank v-32 air slowly enters suction cup 30, causing the -sarne .gradually to Areassume yits normal shape and to release the shank after afcertain elapse of time. When released push button 29 rapidly movesbaek to its initial positon and withdraws thesupport or pin 22 in the way described -hereinbefore permitting the coin to commence its falling-motion. At the same time hammer 37 strikes the bell V38 which emits an acoustic signal. The delay provided by lthe pneumatic delay means leaves the experimentee enough time to put his hand in such a positon that he can rapidly press the lower button 41 with one nger, when his ear catches the signal. v

On account of the reaction time thecoin 5 -will always fall a certain distance before the person being tested stops its falling motion vby means of the braking bar 3, released by pressing button 41. This distance or 'the number Vof hundredths of a second and fractions thereof corresponding to said distance, respectively, is fread on the scale 44.

In Fig. l also an electric contact member 451is shown attached tothe strip 2 which is assumed to be made o'f insulating material. A cable 46 leads from the contact member 45'to a source of current 47 which by means of another cable 48 is connected to plate -1 which, in-turn, has an electrical connection with the metallic lbraking bar 3. In series with current supply 47 there is arranged a relay 49 of a prize delivering-mechanism. lIf the player succeeds in stopping the coin 5 at the contact member 45 the current circuit will be closed through relay 49, whereupon'the prize mechanism is actuated and delivers a prize.

Alternatively, a side opening 50 may be arranged in channel 4 for vthe coin. The opening is `connected to a chanel 51 through which the `coin will Afall out vif the player Ysucceeds in actuating the vbraking bar in the'very moment when the coin f5 is just in front of ythe side opening. The device may be designed in `such va manner that the coin is-returned'to the player, orthe coin can -actuate a prize delivering mechanism.

The invention in its broad aspectsis not limitedito-the specific mechanism shown and described and modifications thereof are conceivable within the scope of claims, without departing from the principles of the invention and,without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

l. An apparatus for measuring the reaction time of a person, comprising means forming a channel for a falling body, a support for such body disposed adjacent the upper end of said channel and capable of being suddenly withdrawn therefrom, means operable to cause withdrawal of said support, delay means cooperating with said last-mentioned means for delaying the sudden withdrawal of the support, means for emitting a signal at the moment of withdrawal of the support when the body starts its falling movement, a brake rod disposed in said channel and extending along the same, said brake rod being movable from an inactive position into an active position in which latter positon it is adapted to stop the falling movement of said body, and manually operable means for causing said brake rod to move suddenly from the inactive into the active position to stop the movement of the body, the distance which the body has fallen until stopped indicating the reaction time of the person being tested.

2. A11 apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake rod is actuated by a spring tending to move the same into its active position, and a detent operable by means of a push button being adapted to maintain said brake rod in its inactive position.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the delay means comprises a suction cup of elastic material adapted to be pressed against a base plate provided with a capillary through which air may slowly enter the suction cup causing the same to free itself from the base plate after a delay period.

4. An apparatus for measuring the reaction time of a person, comprising means forming a channel for a falling body, a spring-actuated temporary support for such body disposed adjacent the upper end of said channel and being normally withdrawn from the active position therein, a push-button for moving said support into the active position within said channel, delay means cooperating with said push-button for delaying the subsequent withdrawal of the spring-actuated support, means for emitting a signal at the moment of withdrawal of the support when the body starts its falling movement, a brake rod disposed in said channel and extending along the same, said brake rod being movable from an inactive position into an active position in which latter it is adapted to stop the falling movement of said body,

and manually operable means for causing said brake rod to move suddenly from the inactive into the active position to stop the movement of the body, the distance which the body has fallen until stopped indicating the re action time of the person being tested.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said signal means comprise a hammer element connected to said temporary support and wherein a bell is provided which is adapted to be struck by said hammer element when the support is suddenly withdrawn from its active position.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein above said temporary support for the body there is arranged a second support attached to a leaf spring, said second support normally projecting into the channel and being adapted, when the push button is pressed, tobe withdrawn from the channel simultaneously as the rst support is introduced into the same, so that a body inserted into the channel will iirst rest upon the second support and upon actuation of the push button will drop into a ready position on the first support, whereupon it Will start its falling movement when the push button returns to its outer position.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the brake rod is connected to a spring-actuated lever tending to move the rod into the active position, a manually operable detent means for holding said lever and brake rod in the inactive position, a cam member, and one end of said lever extending under said push-button and cooperating with said cam member adapted to cause said lever and said brake rod to return to the inactive position upon depression of the push-button,

S. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a scale is provided adjacent the channel for the falling body, said scale indicating the drop of the body per time unit` 9. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an electric Contact member is disposed in the channel for the falling body, said contact member being engaged by the body when the latter is stopped in front of the contact member, said contact member being arranged in a circuit to control electrically a prize delivering mechanism.

l0. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a side opening is provided in the channel for the falling body, through which side opening the body may be caused to leave the channel if hit by the brake rod in front of said opening.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 854,951 Kisser May 28,1907 1,730,726 Goerke Oct. 8, 1929 1,971,839 Wickman Aug. 28, 1934 2,513,110 Sagebeer June 27, 1950 2,587,381 Peterson Feb. 26, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 166,831 Switzerland Apr. 2, 1934 

